NEW WORLD'S RECORD FOR ALTITUDE SET BY U.S. ARMY LT.
Dayton, Ohio (JFK+50) On September 28, 1921, Lt. John A. Macready* established "a new world's record for altitude...by driving his Le Pere battleplane** 40,800 feet above sea level."
The feat by the U.S. Army Aviation Service Lieutenant is described by the New York Tribune as "one of the most thrilling flights in the annals of aviation."
The Tribune reports that during the last phase of the climb, temperatures reached more than 60 degrees below zero causing the pilot to "eventually (be) completely blinded."
*John Arthur Macready (1887-1979) was born in San Diego, CA & graduated from Stanford University in 1912. JAM served in the US Army Air Force in both world wars & is the only 3 time recipient of the Mackay Trophy.
**Le Pere battleplane was a new American type airplane of high speed and camouflaged.
SOURCE
"Flyer Climbs 7 3/4 Miles For New World's Record," The New York Tribune, September 29, 1921, www.chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/
